UNITED NATIONS TO PROBE TORY WELFARE REFORMS

UNITED NATIONS TO PROBE TORY WELFARE REFORMS

UNITED NATIONS TO PROBE TORY WELFARE REFORMS

The SNP has urged the UK Government to fully cooperate with UN investigators following reports that the United Nations are to probe UK Government welfare reforms following a complaint that there had “grave and systematic” violations of disabled people’s human rights.

So concerned are the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that they have already launched a formal investigation – and it is believed that a team will shortly visit the UK – and Scotland- to talk to those directly hit by the deep and continuing assault of Tory cuts.

Last year United Nations Special Envoy Raquel Rolnik visited Scotland to examine the effects of Westminster’s Bedroom Tax on communities and families – and concluded in her report that the tax was – ‘shocking and should be scrapped’ as a ‘basic breach of the human right to housing’.

Christina McKelvie SNP MSP said:

“We have consistently raised grave concerns about the impact and extent to which the UK Government is prepared to cut support for disabled people – the fact that the United Nations is now set to launch an inquiry into the issue simply underlines the gravity of the situation facing many of the most vulnerable people in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“The UK Government must fully cooperate with that inquiry.

“Just this week it was revealed that 2,380 people had died after a work capability assessment found them fit for work and this, as the DWP is set to further cut support for up to 1 million disabled people – a staggering 43% of those who receive ESA.

“The DWP has questions to answer and the Scottish Parliament and its committees should welcome and support any investigation by UN representatives.”